Plasma generator

Abstract

A plasma generator includes a cathode, an anode, and a stabilizing electrode. The stabilizing electrode stabilises a region of plasma within a fluid. Methods of plasma generation and uses thereof are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A plasma generator comprising a cathode, an anode and a stabilizing electrode, wherein the stabilizing electrode stabilizes a region of plasma within a fluid, wherein a high voltage direct current power supply is coupled to the cathode and the anode, and wherein a decoupling inductor is interposed between the high voltage direct current power supply and the cathode. 
     
     
       2. The plasma generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing electrode stabilizes an interface between the region of plasma and the fluid. 
     
     
       3. The plasma generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing electrode initiates the plasma. 
     
     
       4. The plasma generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing electrode is positioned between the cathode and the anode. 
     
     
       5. The plasma generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing electrode emits charged particles into the fluid. 
     
     
       6. The plasma generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the region of plasma is confined between the stabilizing electrode and the cathode. 
     
     
       7. The plasma generator according to  claim 1 , wherein a current generated between the cathode and the stabilizing electrode is lower than a current flow from the cathode to the anode. 
     
     
       8. The plasma generator according to  claim 1 , wherein a potential difference between the cathode and the stabilizing electrode is higher than a potential difference between the cathode and the anode. 
     
     
       9. The plasma generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing electrode has a configuration selected from a plate, a sphere, a rod and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       10. The plasma generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing electrode is porous. 
     
     
       11. The plasma generator according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inlet for delivering a catalyst to the region of plasma facilitating chemical reaction within the plasma generator. 
     
     
       12. The plasma generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises a catalyst. 
     
     
       13. A plasma generator, comprising a cathode, an anode and a stabilizing electrode, wherein the stabilizing electrode stabilizes a region of plasma within a fluid, wherein a high voltage direct current power supply is coupled to the cathode and the anode, and wherein a decoupling inductor is interposed between the high voltage direct current power supply and the anode. 
     
     
       14. The plasma generator according to  claim 13 , wherein the stabilizing electrode stabilizes an interface between the region of plasma and the fluid. 
     
     
       15. The plasma generator according to  claim 13 , wherein the stabilizing electrode initiates the plasma. 
     
     
       16. The plasma generator according to  claim 13 , wherein the stabilizing electrode is positioned between the cathode and the anode. 
     
     
       17. The plasma generator according to  claim 13 , wherein the stabilizing electrode emits charged particles into the fluid. 
     
     
       18. The plasma generator according to  claim 13 , wherein the region of plasma is confined between the stabilizing electrode and the cathode. 
     
     
       19. The plasma generator according to  claim 13 , wherein a current generated between the cathode and the stabilizing electrode is lower than a current flow from the cathode to the anode. 
     
     
       20. The plasma generator according to  claim 13 , wherein a potential difference between the cathode and the stabilizing electrode is higher than a potential difference between the cathode and the anode. 
     
     
       21. The plasma generator according to  claim 13 , wherein the stabilizing electrode has a configuration selected from a plate, a sphere, a rod and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       22. The plasma generator according to  claim 13 , wherein the stabilizing electrode is porous. 
     
     
       23. The plasma generator according to  claim 13 , further comprising an inlet for delivering a catalyst to the region of plasma facilitating chemical reaction within the plasma generator. 
     
     
       24. The plasma generator according to  claim 13 , wherein the fluid comprises a catalyst. 
     
     
       25. A plasma generator, comprising a cathode, an anode and a stabilizing electrode, wherein the stabilizing electrode stabilizes a region of plasma within a fluid, wherein a high frequency alternating current power supply is coupled to the cathode and the stabilizing electrode, and wherein a decoupling capacitor is interposed between the high frequency alternating current power supply and either the cathode or the anode. 
     
     
       26. The plasma generator according to  claim 25 , wherein the stabilizing electrode stabilizes an interface between the region of plasma and the fluid. 
     
     
       27. The plasma generator according to  claim 25 , wherein the stabilizing electrode initiates the plasma. 
     
     
       28. The plasma generator according to  claim 25 , wherein the stabilizing electrode is positioned between the cathode and the anode. 
     
     
       29. The plasma generator according to  claim 25 , wherein the stabilizing electrode emits charged particles into the fluid. 
     
     
       30. The plasma generator according to  claim 25 , wherein the region of plasma is confined between the stabilizing electrode and the cathode. 
     
     
       31. The plasma generator according to  claim 25 , wherein a current generated between the cathode and the stabilizing electrode is lower than a current flow from the cathode to the anode. 
     
     
       32. The plasma generator according to  claim 25 , wherein a potential difference between the cathode and the stabilizing electrode is higher than a potential difference between the cathode and the anode. 
     
     
       33. The plasma generator according to  claim 25 , wherein the stabilizing electrode has a configuration selected from a plate, a sphere, a rod and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       34. The plasma generator according to  claim 25 , wherein the stabilizing electrode is porous. 
     
     
       35. The plasma generator according to  claim 25 , further comprising an inlet for delivering a catalyst to the region of plasma facilitating chemical reaction within the plasma generator. 
     
     
       36. The plasma generator according to  claim 25 , wherein the fluid comprises a catalyst. 
     
     
       37. A method for plasma generation within a fluid, the method comprising:
 contacting a cathode and an anode to the fluid; 
 forming a region of plasma in the fluid; 
 stabilizing the region of plasma using a stabilizing electrode; 
 coupling a high voltage direct current power supply to the cathode and the anode; and 
 interposing a decoupling inductor between the high voltage direct current power supply and the cathode. 
 
     
     
       38. The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the fluid is water and the plasma heats the water. 
     
     
       39. The method according to  claim 37 , wherein the fluid is a saline solution and the plasma desalinates the saline solution to produce water.